How to Secure Your Bicycle

Bicycles are increasingly the target of thieves. Cyclists can protect themselves against theft in various ways, below we will describe some methods of bicycle insurance in more detail.

Locks

Locks are the most common way to secure a bike. There are several types of locks such as U-locks, chain locks, combination locks, cable locks and smart locks. Locks vary in weight, size, security and price. When choosing a lock, you should pay attention to the quality of the lock and key. The lock should be difficult to cut, and the key should not be easy to forge. When it comes to locking your bike, it's important to lock it to something sturdy that can't be easily cut or removed. This can be a bicycle stand, a tree or some kind of pole. When locking to another obstacle, it is important to lock both the frame and the wheel.

The safest way to lock a bike is with two locks. The first lock should extend around the rear wheel, the frame and the obstacle where you will lock the bike (bike rack, etc.). The second lock should go around the front wheel and frame.

Parking

Where you park your bike has a big impact on the safety of your bike. It is wise to choose a place to park your bike where there are many people, good lighting and a control system. Park your bike on a bike rack whenever possible. An inappropriate choice can increase the risk that the bike will be stolen. Some places where it is not wise to park your bike include:

Secluded and poorly lit areas: Secluded areas such as parks, deserted streets and the like are attractive to bike thieves as they are less noticeable. It is also important to choose a location that is sufficiently well-lit, as robbers often avoid well-lit areas.

In areas with poor surveillance: It is not recommended to park the bike in areas with poor surveillance, such as the outskirts of cities, industrial zones and the like. In such areas, bicycles are less safe and more exposed to the risk of theft.

In front of shopping centers: It is not recommended to park bicycles in front of shopping centers, as such places are often the target of thieves. Heavy crowds and busy employees can provide thieves with a good opportunity to steal a bike.

In areas where bicycle theft is common: It is not recommended to park the bicycle in areas where bicycle theft is common, such as train stations, bus stations, etc. So-called "hot spots" are often the targets of thieves, so it is better to choose another location to park your bike.

Bicycle insurance

It is recommended to check the bike insurance options. Some providers offer bike insurance that covers theft, damage and other types of damage. Bicycle insurance is a good option for those who have expensive bicycles or want additional protection against theft.

Loud alarm and GPS tracking

The Unlock2Ride Smart Bike Lock has a loud alarm to deter a thief from attempting a theft. This feature can play a key role in stopping bike theft by scaring the thief and forcing him to leave the scene. In this way, the bike owner can prevent theft and save himself a lot of money and stress associated with losing a bike.

Despite following all the instructions, there is still no way to 100% guarantee that the bike will not be stolen. Despite using the best security measures, there is a risk that the bike will be stolen.

Smart locks like the Unlock2Ride bike lock with GPS tracking can help locate your bike if it's stolen. A smart lock with GPS tracking works by connecting the lock to your smartphone to receive notifications about the bike's movements and have the ability to track the bike if someone steals it. The owner of the bike can check the location of the bike and follow its movement through the application on the phone.

Given the fact that bike theft is on the rise every year, and all bikes are targeted, regardless of whether it's a low-end or high-end bike. Even the theft of individual parts of the bike is happening more and more often, which can be extremely annoying and expensive for the owners.